73-87 frame, suspension, body drop ?'s

[baldbandit]

I'm starting to make plans for redoing an old project. It's an 84 swb chevy fullsize. I'm wanting to build a show/occasional weekend driver truck. I am planning to stock floor body drop it. I'm unsure of wether it will be to the rocker or the door. I was wondering what would be better, building my own frame out of square tube or using the factory frame. If I used the factory frame, I would weld up all of the extra holes and box most if not all of it. If i build my own, what front end should I use? Any ideas or info is appreciated! What about tubular control arms? what brand should I use? DJM doesn't recomend modifying theirs for bags. Has anyone done this? or other brands? Any and all info is appreciated!


Thanks
Trey

[Domeskilla]

You're not gonna stocl floor with a stock frame, unless you trim it and that isnt the right way.

Now, you cant just go any amount you want with a stock floor. You can only go far nd then there comes a point where you can channel or do a 1-2" raised floor to get you down to the doors. I'm going rocker on my 79. I'm using 2x4x1/4" box tubing from the firewall back. Also you'll have to raise the tranny tunnel, lower the body mounts, smooth out the "hump" under the cab where your feet go. All of that to get a stock floor. So stock floor isnt technically a stock floor.

I'd personally widen the rear section of the frame for more choices in rear setups. As it is now, a parallel 4 link is about all that will work, but you can widen the rear and use a tri 4, wishbone 3, etc. (come on guys, lets not get into this whole parallel 4 thing again, b/c if you really wanna argue, then why are you guys using a panhard tht allows movement at the most extreme moments when you need a watts link to say you're using the best).

Tubular a-arms. I'd just wait till ART gets theirs out.

Also, to lay you need to section the engine crossmember 1.5" b/c it hangs so damn low.

[Jimmy P]

Originally posted by Domeskilla
You're not gonna stocl floor with a stock frame, unless you trim it and that isnt the right way.

Now, you cant just go any amount you want with a stock floor. You can only go far nd then there comes a point where you can channel or do a 1-2" raised floor to get you down to the doors. I'm going rocker on my 79. I'm using 2x4x1/4" box tubing from the firewall back. Also you'll have to raise the tranny tunnel, lower the body mounts, smooth out the "hump" under the cab where your feet go. All of that to get a stock floor. So stock floor isnt technically a stock floor.

I'd personally widen the rear section of the frame for more choices in rear setups. As it is now, a parallel 4 link is about all that will work, but you can widen the rear and use a tri 4, wishbone 3, etc. (come on guys, lets not get into this whole parallel 4 thing again, b/c if you really wanna argue, then why are you guys using a panhard tht allows movement at the most extreme moments when you need a watts link to say you're using the best).

Tubular a-arms. I'd just wait till ART gets theirs out.

Also, to lay you need to section the engine crossmember 1.5" b/c it hangs so damn low.

yup he pretty much covered it. Im sure you saw my post that I did about my stock floor on my 89....gives ya ageneral idea even though its a different year.

Originally posted by Domeskilla
(come on guys, lets not get into this whole parallel 4 thing again, b/c if you really wanna argue, then why are you guys using a panhard tht allows movement at the most extreme moments when you need a watts link to say you're using the best).

whew im out of breath just reading that..lol..but your right a watts link would be ideal with a parallel

[Domeskilla]

So essentially you raise the part of the a-arms and then drop it the amount you raised the front suspension, plsut eh bodydrop height to lay the core support? hmmmm, i dont much care for that. I'll just do it myway, so i know my front suspension is held with more then 1" of frame. Just me tho. I mean, if it works, it works, just isnt for me.

Nice links tho. informative.

[baldbandit]

I know what is involved in doing the stock floor, although I haven't taken any measurements to see just how much I can get out of the stock floor bd. I quess what I'm trying to ask is, would it be easier to build my own frame out of sguare tube and use a different front end, or to trim my frame and raise the front crossmember up? The tube frame would look definetly look better, but which way would be the "best" way to do it?

Thanks
Trey

[baldbandit]

Originally posted by Domeskilla
You're not gonna stocl floor with a stock frame, unless you trim it and that isnt the right way.

Now, you cant just go any amount you want with a stock floor. You can only go far nd then there comes a point where you can channel or do a 1-2" raised floor to get you down to the doors. I'm going rocker on my 79. I'm using 2x4x1/4" box tubing from the firewall back. Also you'll have to raise the tranny tunnel, lower the body mounts, smooth out the "hump" under the cab where your feet go. All of that to get a stock floor. So stock floor isnt technically a stock floor.

I'd personally widen the rear section of the frame for more choices in rear setups. As it is now, a parallel 4 link is about all that will work, but you can widen the rear and use a tri 4, wishbone 3, etc. (come on guys, lets not get into this whole parallel 4 thing again, b/c if you really wanna argue, then why are you guys using a panhard tht allows movement at the most extreme moments when you need a watts link to say you're using the best).

Tubular a-arms. I'd just wait till ART gets theirs out.

Also, to lay you need to section the engine crossmember 1.5" b/c it hangs so damn low.

Any pics of your frame and suspension? If so, could you post them, or send them to me at bagged01extcab@yahoo.com?

Also, 5-8, I appreciate the links. There is some really good info in them!

Thanks
Trey

[Domeskilla]

Originally posted by baldbandit
Any pics of your frame and suspension? If so, could you post them, or send them to me at bagged01extcab@yahoo.com?

Also, 5-8, I appreciate the links. There is some really good info in them!

Thanks
Trey

no pics of my frame, I havent done it yet, I just know exactly what i'm doing and what needs to be done. Its too rainy here lately to start on anything. But when i start heavily on the whole ordeal, i'll post pics.

[baldbandit]

Originally posted by Domeskilla
no pics of my frame, I havent done it yet, I just know exactly what i'm doing and what needs to be done. Its too rainy here lately to start on anything. But when i start heavily on the whole ordeal, i'll post pics.

OK! Keep us updated!

Trey

[loweredd]

Sounds like you need to head over to my site.....

http://www.loweredd.com/Frame_Z.html

There's the perfect page for you. My 84 sits on the rockers. (what's left of them)

[Work Truck 4x4]

Originally posted by loweredd
Sounds like you need to head over to my site.....

http://www.loweredd.com/Frame_Z.html

There's the perfect page for you. My 84 sits on the rockers. (what's left of them)

Angle Iron for the frame? Is that even safe? Gimme a break!

[Jimmy P]

please tell me that you didnt leave that without reinforcement

[loweredd]

Angle iron for the bottom of the frame?

Give you a break? It's stronger than stock!!


And, that piece inbetween the front is 1/4 plate. What more reinforcement do you want?

[Jimmy P]

Originally posted by loweredd
Angle iron for the bottom of the frame?

Give you a break? It's stronger than stock!!


And, that piece inbetween the front is 1/4 plate. What more reinforcement do you want?

well most people ...ok all pics ive seen of bodydrops include at least some gusseting when the lower the core support. I mean even ifcustoms does it. Not trying to start a fight here or anything just saying if it was me i would add a little more support there.

[loweredd]

All the one's I've seen too were like that....BUT....they were welding the frame to the frame. I've got the piece of plate in there which is stronger than the framerails.

I know you're not trying to start a fight.

[Jimmy P]

Originally posted by loweredd
All the one's I've seen too were like that....BUT....they were welding the frame to the frame. I've got the piece of plate in there which is stronger than the framerails.

I know you're not trying to start a fight.

besides the fact that there is a moment created in the middle of that plate becaue of the force of the core support pushing down ...arent you worried about tapping somthing with the front end, even slightly, and bending the core support arms under the rest of the frame?

[loweredd]

Oh man, I feel like a heel now.....I was thinking frame, not core support. Yeah, there will be a piece below in the front....

Long day....sorry.